Charge doping and electric field tunable ferromagnetism and Curie temperature of the MnS2 monolayer

Two-dimensional ferromagnets with a long-range ferromagnetic ordering at finite temperature present a bright prospect for their potential applications in nanoscale spintronic devices. The tuning of their intrinsic ferromagnetism and Curie temperature is essential for the development of next-generation data storage and spintronic devices. In this work, the electronic structures, ferromagnetism and Curie temperature of two-dimensional MnS2 monolayer are controlled by charge doping and electric field using first principles calculations. The results show that the dynamic and thermal stability of monolayer MnS2 for all of the cases can be still maintained. Moreover, there is no existence of phase transition and all MnS2 monolayers at any charge doping concentrations and electric field intensities favor ferromagnetic coupling. For the manipulation of electron doping, the calculated total magnetic moment Mtot of the MnS2 monolayer exhibits an increase from 3.112 to 3.491μB per unit cell. Further analysis indicates that a transition from half-metal to metal occurs by introducing the charge doping and vertical electric field, and the Mn 3d electronic states are the major determinants of ferromagnetism. Additionally, the charge doping enables the magnetic anisotropy energy to transform from an in-plane easy axis to the magnetization direction out of the plane. The Curie temperature Tc of the MnS2 monolayer can be moderately enhanced above room temperature by hole doping and application of a vertical electric field. Remarkably, Tc reaches its peak at 767 K at a hole doping concentration of -0.8e. This work enriches the microscopic understanding of the tuning mechanism of ferromagnetism and supplies a sound theoretical basis for subsequent experimental studies.

The Effects of Human Papillomavirus Status and Treatment on the Positive Predictive Value of Post-radiotherapy 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography in Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

AIMS

The high negative predictive value of post-chemoradiation (CRT) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is well established in head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCC). The positive predictive value (PPV) remains under scrutiny, with increasing evidence that it is affected by several factors. The aim of this study was to assess the PPV of post-treatment PET-CT for residual nodal disease when stratified by treatment modality and tumour human papillomavirus (HPV) status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary oncology centre carried out between January 2013 and December 2019. Patients were radically treated with radiotherapy only/CRT for node-positive HNSCC. PET-CT nodal responses were categorised as complete, equivocal (EQR) or incomplete (ICR), and outcomes extracted from electronic records.

RESULTS

In total, 480 patients were evaluated, all had a minimum potential follow-up of 2 years, with a median of 39.2 months. The PPV of 12-week PET-CT was significantly different between HPV-positive (22.5%) and HPV-unrelated (52.7%) disease, P < 0.001. It was also significantly different between the CRT (24.8%) and radiotherapy-only (51.1%) groups, P = 0.001. The PPV of an EQR was significantly less than an ICR, irrespective of HPV status and primary treatment modality. In HPV-positive disease, the PPV of an EQR was 9.0% for the CRT group compared with 21.4% for radiotherapy only, P = 0.278. The PPV in those who achieved an ICR was 34.2% in the CRT group, significantly lower than 70.0% in the radiotherapy-only group, P = 0.03.

CONCLUSION

The PPV of 12-week PET-CT is significantly lower for HPV-positive compared with HPV-unrelated HNSCC. It is poorer in patients with HPV-positive disease treated with CRT compared with radiotherapy alone.

Hyperon Polarization along the Beam Direction Relative to the Second and Third Harmonic Event Planes in Isobar Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam direction has been measured relative to the second and third harmonic event planes in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. This is the first experimental evidence of the hyperon polarization by the triangular flow originating from the initial density fluctuations. The amplitudes of the sine modulation for the second and third harmonic results are comparable in magnitude, increase from central to peripheral collisions, and show a mild p_{T} dependence. The azimuthal angle dependence of the polarization follows the vorticity pattern expected due to elliptic and triangular anisotropic flow, and qualitatively disagrees with most hydrodynamic model calculations based on thermal vorticity and shear induced contributions. The model results based on one of existing implementations of the shear contribution lead to a correct azimuthal angle dependence, but predict centrality and p_{T} dependence that still disagree with experimental measurements. Thus, our results provide stringent constraints on the thermal vorticity and shear-induced contributions to hyperon polarization. Comparison to previous measurements at RHIC and the LHC for the second-order harmonic results shows little dependence on the collision system size and collision energy.

Evolution of point defects in pulsed-laser-melted Ge1-xSnxprobed by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

Direct-band-gap Germanium-Tin alloys (Ge1-xSnx) with high carrier mobilities are promising materials for nano- and optoelectronics. The concentration of open volume defects in the alloy, such as Sn and Ge vacancies, influences the final device performance. In this article, we present an evaluation of the point defects in molecular-beam-epitaxy grown Ge1-xSnxfilms treated by post-growth nanosecond-range pulsed laser melting (PLM). Doppler broadening - variable energy positron annihilation spectroscopy and variable energy positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy are used to investigate the defect nanostructure in the Ge1-xSnxfilms exposed to increasing laser energy density. The experimental results, supported with ATomic SUPerposition calculations, evidence that after PLM, the average size of the open volume defects increases, which represents a raise in concentration of vacancy agglomerations, but the overall defect density is reduced as a function of the PLM fluence. At the same time, the positron annihilation spectroscopy analysis provides information about dislocations and Ge vacancies decorated by Sn atoms. Moreover, it is shown that the PLM reduces the strain in the layer, while dislocations are responsible for trapping of Sn and formation of small Sn-rich-clusters.

[Predictive value of plasma exosomal miR-124-3p for the risk of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion]

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of plasma exosomal microRNA (miR)-124-3p in the risk of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH). Methods: A case-control study. Thirty patients who were diagnosed with CCH (CCH group) based on cranial artery spin labeling (ASL) in the neurology outpatient clinic of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from March 2022 to June 2022 and 30 healthy volunteers (control group) were included. Age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, diabetes history, hypertension, hyperlipidemia history, uric acid, fasting blood glucose, homocysteine and plasma exosomal miR-124-3p expression level were compared between the two groups. Comparisons of categorical variables were analyzed by either χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. If the data of continuous variables followed a normal distribution, they were expressed as mean±standard deviation (SD) and compared by t-test for two independent samples; otherwise, the data were expressed as M(Q1, Q3), and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test for comparison between two groups. The correlation between cerebral blood flow and exosomal miR-124-3p levels was analyzed by Pearson's correlation. Binary multifactorial logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors associated with CCH, and corresponding odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant difference in age (64±8 vs. 60±8 years old), gender (33.3% vs. 30.0%), history of smoking (20.0% vs. 3.3%), alcohol consumption (20.0% vs. 6.7%), diabetes mellitus (13.3% vs. 13.3%), hypertension (53.3% vs. 30.0%), history of hyperlipidemia (46.7% vs. 36.7%), uric acid (288±60 vs.319±67 μmol/L), and fasting glucose [4.99(4.63, 5.91) vs. 5.28(5.09, 6.05) mmol/L] and homocysteine [11.35(10.18, 13.08) vs.11.00(9.78, 13.03) μmol/L] between the CCH and control groups (P>0.05). Plasma exosomal miR-124-3p expression was significantly higher in the CCH group than in the control group [13.08 (8.59, 21.55) vs. 2.85 (1.44, 5.10), respectively; U=169.50, P<0.001]. Pearson's correlation test showed that the level of exosomal miR-124-3p was negatively correlated with cerebral blood flow in the hypoperfused region in patients with CCH (r=-0.932, P<0.001). Multi-factor logistic regression analysis showed that plasma exosomal miR-124-3p was independently associated with the risk of CCH (OR=1.169,95%CI 1.063-1.286,P=0.001). Conclusions: The expression of plasma exosomal miR-124-3p is negatively correlated with cerebral blood flow in areas of low perfusion and is an independent risk factor for CCH. Plasma exosomal miR-124-3p may thus serve as a valid biomarker for CCH risk prediction.

[Construction of a schistosomiasis transmission risk assessment system in Wuhan City based on analytic hierarchy process]

OBJECTIVE

To construct a schistosomiasis transmission risk assessment system in Wuhan City and preliminary evaluate its application effect, so as to promote the rational allocation of schistosomiasis control resources and accelerate the progress towards schistosomiasis elimination.

METHODS

The schistosomiasis risk assessment indicators were collected through referring schistosomiasis surveillance data of Wuhan City from 2014 to 2020, literature review and expert interviews. Indicators within each criterion and sub-criterion were screened using the Delphi method, and a hierarchical structure model was created based on analytic hierarchy process. Quantitative assignment of each indicator was conducted according to relative importance, and the weight and combination weight of each criterion were calculated in each analytic hierarchy framework to create a schistosomiasis transmission risk assessment system, which was used for the schistosomiasis transmission risk assessment in 12 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites in Wuhan City.

RESULTS

A three-level schistosomiasis transmission risk assessment system was preliminarily constructed, which included a target layer, 5 criterion layers and 21 sub-criterion layers. Of all indicators in the criterion layer, transmission route had the highest weight (0.433), followed by source of Schistosoma japonicum infection (0.294); and among all indicators in the sub-criterion layer, S. japonicum infection in Oncomelania hupensis and sentinel mice had the highest combination weight (0.125), followed by prevalence of S. japonicum infection in humans (0.091) and bovines (0.053), snail control by chemical treatment (0.049), positive rate of inquiry examinations (0.048), allocation of schistosomiasis control professionals (0.045), and areas of submerged snail-infested settings (0.041). Of the 12 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites in Wuhan City, there were 5 sites with weights of > 0.8, 4 sites with weights of 0.6 to 0.8, and 3 sites with weights of < 0.6 in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

A schistosomiasis transmission risk assessment system has been constructed based on analytic hierarchy process in Wuhan City, which may provide a evidence-based basis for health resource allocation and decision-making for schistosomiasis control.

Acrolein Induces Retinal Abnormalities of Alzheimer's Disease in Mice

It is reported that retinal abnormities are related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patients and animal models. However, it is unclear whether the retinal abnormities appear in the mouse model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) induced by acrolein. We investigated the alterations of retinal function and structure, the levels of β-amyloid (Aβ) and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) in the retina, and the changes in the retinal vascular system in this mouse model. We demonstrated that the levels of Aβ and p-Tau were increased in the retinas of mice from the acrolein groups. Subsequently, a decreased amplitudes of b-waves in the scotopic and photopic electroretinogram (ERG), decreased thicknesses of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in the retina, and slight retinal venous beading were found in the mice induced by acrolein. We propose that sAD mice induced by acrolein showed abnormalities in the retina, which may provide a valuable reference for the study of the retina in sAD.

Information-based continuous nursing on pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious pregnancy complication, and women with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus can develop chronic hyperglycemia during pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of information-based continuity of care on glucose levels, health awareness, and maternal and infant outcomes in pregnant women with GDM, thereby providing a basis for the clinical implementation of effective interventions for GDM to reduce or avoid adverse outcomes due to GDM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and sixty cases of pregnant women with GDM who underwent treatment in the obstetrics and gynecology department of our hospital from June 2019 to September 2021 were randomly selected as the study population and divided into the control group (n=80) and the study group (n=80). Women in the control group were received with conventional nursing intervention, and those in the study group were obtained with information-based continuity of care on the basis of the control group. Basic clinical data were collected. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2h postprandial glucose (2hPG), knowledge of health education, treatment compliance scores, and changes in delivery outcomes were compared between the two groups. According to the maternal blood glucose control level, 160 pregnant women with GDM were divided into the better control group (143 cases) and the poor control group (17 cases). The risk factors affecting the level of maternal glycemic control in gestational diabetes were analyzed.

RESULTS

After the intervention, the levels of FBG and 2hPG were significantly lower in both groups than those before the intervention, while the levels of FBG and 2hPG in the study group were notably lower than those in the control group. The health education knowledge score and treatment compliance score after the intervention were significantly higher than those before the intervention, and the health education knowledge score and treatment compliance score in the study group were observably higher than those in the control group (p<0.01). The adverse pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women in the study group were significantly reduced compared with those in the control group (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI), dietary control, literacy, and information-based continuity of care were all influential factors for maternal glycemic control level (p<0.05). Among the influencing factors, dietary control and continuity of care had clinical value in predicting maternal glycemic control levels in gestational diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous nursing based on informatization can effectively control the blood glucose level of pregnant women with GDM, improve the treatment compliance of pregnant women and the awareness rate of gestational diabetes knowledge so as to reduce the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes and improve the health level. In addition, BMI and dietary control are independent risk factors that affect the blood glucose control level of pregnant women. Relevant intervention measures should be formulated according to the relevant influencing factors to effectively control the blood glucose level of pregnant women with GDM and improve maternal and infant outcomes.

[Comparison of the effects and safety of dydrogesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate on endometrial hyperplasia without atypia: a randomized controlled non-inferior phase Ⅲ clinical study]

Objective: To compare the effects and safety of dydrogesterone (DG) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on the treatment in patients with endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (EH). Methods: This was a single-center, open-label, prospective non-inferior randomized controlled phase Ⅲ trial. From February 2019 to November 2021, patients with EH admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University were recruited. Enrolled patients were stratified according to the pathological types of simple hyperplasia (SH) or complex hyperplasia (CH), and were randomised to receive MPA or DG. Untill May 14, 2022, the median follow-up time after complete response (CR) was 9.3 months (1.1-17.2 months). The primary endpoint was the 6-month CR rate (6m-CR rate). The secondary endpoints included the 3-month CR rate (3m-CR rate), adverse events rate, recurrence rate, and pregnancy rate in one year after CR. Results: (1) A total of 292 patients with EH were enrolled in the study with the median age of 39 years (31-45 years). A total of 135 SH patients were randomly assigned to MPA group (n=67) and DG group (n=68), and 157 CH patients were randomly assigned to MPA group (n=79) and DG group (n=78). (2) Among 292 patients, 205 patients enrolled into the primary endpoint analysis, including 92 SH patients and 113 CH patients, with 100 patients in MPA group and 105 in DG group, respectively. The 6m-CR rate of MPA group and DG group were 90.0% (90/100) and 88.6% (93/105) respectively, and there were no statistical significance (χ²=0.11, P=0.741), with the rate difference (RD) was -1.4% (95%CI:-9.9%-7.0%). Stratified by the pathology types, the 6m-CR rate of SH patients was 93.5% (86/92), and MPA group and DG group were respectively 91.1% (41/45) and 95.7% (45/47); and the 6m-CR rate of CH patients was 85.8% (97/113), and MPA group and DG group were 89.1% (49/55) and 82.8% (48/58) respectively. The 6m-CR rates of the two treatments had no statistical significance either (all P>0.05). A total of 194 EH patients enrolled into the secondary endpoint analysis, including 88 SH patients and 106 CH patients, and 96 patients in MPA group and 98 in DG group, respectively. The 3m-CR rate of SH patients were 87.5% (77/88), while the 3m-CR rates of MPA group and DG group were 90.7% (39/43) and 84.4% (38/45), respectively; the 3m-CR rate of CH patients was 66.0% (70/106), and MPA group and DG group had the same 3m-CR rate of 66.0% (35/53). No statistical significance was found between the two treatments both in SH and CH patients (all P>0.05). (3) The incidence of adverse events between MPA group and DG group had no statistical significance (P>0.05). (4) A total of 93 SH patients achieved CR, and the cumulative recurrence rate in one year after CR were 5.9% and 0 in MPA group and DG group, respectively. While 112 CH patients achieved CR, and the cumulative recurrence rate in one year after CR were 8.8% and 6.5% in MPA group and DG group, respectively. There were no statistical significance between two treatment groups (all P>0.05). Among the 93 SH patients, 10 patients had family planning but no pregnancy happened during the follow-up period. Among the 112 CH patients, 21 were actively preparing for pregnancy, and the pregnancy rate and live-birth rate in one year after CR in MPA group were 7/9 and 2/7, while in DG group were respectively 4/12 and 2/4, and there were no statistical significance in pregnancy rate and live-birth rate between the two treatment groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Compared with MPA, DG is of good efficacy and safety in treating EH. DG is a favorable alternative treatment for EH patients.

Southern ocean carbon and heat impact on climate

The Southern Ocean greatly contributes to the regulation of the global climate by controlling important heat and carbon exchanges between the atmosphere and the ocean. Rates of climate change on decadal timescales are therefore impacted by oceanic processes taking place in the Southern Ocean, yet too little is known about these processes. Limitations come both from the lack of observations in this extreme environment and its inherent sensitivity to intermittent processes at scales that are not well captured in current Earth system models. The Southern Ocean Carbon and Heat Impact on Climate programme was launched to address this knowledge gap, with the overall objective to understand and quantify variability of heat and carbon budgets in the Southern Ocean through an investigation of the key physical processes controlling exchanges between the atmosphere, ocean and sea ice using a combination of observational and modelling approaches. Here, we provide a brief overview of the programme, as well as a summary of some of the scientific progress achieved during its first half. Advances range from new evidence of the importance of specific processes in Southern Ocean ventilation rate (e.g. storm-induced turbulence, sea-ice meltwater fronts, wind-induced gyre circulation, dense shelf water formation and abyssal mixing) to refined descriptions of the physical changes currently ongoing in the Southern Ocean and of their link with global climate. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Heat and carbon uptake in the Southern Ocean: the state of the art and future priorities'.

Measurements of the Elliptic and Triangular Azimuthal Anisotropies in Central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au and p+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The elliptic (v_{2}) and triangular (v_{3}) azimuthal anisotropy coefficients in central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au, and p+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV are measured as a function of transverse momentum (p_{T}) at midrapidity (|η|<0.9), via the azimuthal angular correlation between two particles both at |η|<0.9. While the v_{2}(p_{T}) values depend on the colliding systems, the v_{3}(p_{T}) values are system independent within the uncertainties, suggesting an influence on eccentricity from subnucleonic fluctuations in these small-sized systems. These results also provide stringent constraints for the hydrodynamic modeling of these systems.

Observation of Directed Flow of Hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report here the first observation of directed flow (v_{1}) of the hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in mid-central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV at RHIC. These data are taken as part of the beam energy scan program carried out by the STAR experiment. From 165×10^{6} events in 5%-40% centrality, about 8400 _{Λ}^{3}H and 5200 _{Λ}^{4}H candidates are reconstructed through two- and three-body decay channels. We observe that these hypernuclei exhibit significant directed flow. Comparing to that of light nuclei, it is found that the midrapidity v_{1} slopes of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H follow baryon number scaling, implying that the coalescence is the dominant mechanism for these hypernuclei production in the 3 GeV Au+Au collisions.

Beam Energy Dependence of Triton Production and Yield Ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}) in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the triton (t) production in midrapidity (|y|<0.5) Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=7.7-200  GeV measured by the STAR experiment from the first phase of the beam energy scan at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The nuclear compound yield ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}), which is predicted to be sensitive to the fluctuation of local neutron density, is observed to decrease monotonically with increasing charged-particle multiplicity (dN_{ch}/dη) and follows a scaling behavior. The dN_{ch}/dη dependence of the yield ratio is compared to calculations from coalescence and thermal models. Enhancements in the yield ratios relative to the coalescence baseline are observed in the 0%-10% most central collisions at 19.6 and 27 GeV, with a significance of 2.3σ and 3.4σ, respectively, giving a combined significance of 4.1σ. The enhancements are not observed in peripheral collisions or model calculations without critical fluctuation, and decreases with a smaller p_{T} acceptance. The physics implications of these results on the QCD phase structure and the production mechanism of light nuclei in heavy-ion collisions are discussed.

[Application of endoscopic suturing instrument in laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy]

Objective: To investigate the safety and feasibility of using an endoscopic suturing instrument in laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy. Methods: A descriptive case series study was conducted to retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 5 patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (Billroth II + Braun anastomosis) at Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University from October 2022 to January 2023. The common opening was closed using an endoscopic suturing instrument. The indications were as follows: (1) patients aged between 18 and 80 years; (2) patients with gastric adenocarcinoma; (3) cTNM between I-III; (4) lower-third gastric cancer and radical gastrectomy is recommended; (5) no history of upper abdominal surgery (except for laparoscopic cholecystectomy). The surgery was performed as follows: A side-to-side gastrojejunostomy was performed with endoscopic linear cutter stapler. Then the common opening was closed with endoscopic suturing instrument. During suturing and closing the common opening, a vertical mattress suture was used to completely invert and close the mucosa-to-mucosa and serosa-to-serosa of the gastric and jejunum walls. After the first layer of suture was completed, the seromuscular layer was sutured from top to bottom to embed the common opening of stomach and jejunum. Results: Laparoscopic closure of the common gastrojejunal opening with endoscopic suturing instrument was successfully completed in all 5 patients. The operative time was (308.6±22.6) minutes, while the time of gastrojejunostomy was (15.4±3.1) minutes. The operative blood loss was (34.0±10.8) ml. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in any of the patients. The first passage of gas occurred at (2.6±0.9) days, and the postoperative hospital stay was (7.0±1.9) days. Conclusion: The application of endoscopic suturing instrument in laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy is safe and feasible.

Involvement of endoplasmic reticulum stress in trigeminal ganglion corneal neuron injury in dry eye disease

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease with a high prevalence worldwide. Uncomfortable corneal sensations severely affect daily life in DED patients. Hence, corneal neuron injury is a vital pathogenesis in DED. Notably, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays a role in peripheral neuron injury. However, the role of ERS in DED corneal neuron injury is still far from being clear. In this study, we established an environmental DED (eDED) model in vivo and a hyperosmotic DED model in vitro. Subsequently, trigeminal ganglion (TG) corneal neurons were retrograde labeled by WGA-Alexa Fluor 555, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to collect targeted corneal neurons for RNA sequencing in mice. Our results revealed that TG corneal neuron injury but not apoptosis in DED. ERS-related genes and proteins were upregulated in TG corneal neurons of the eDED mice. ERS inhibition alleviated TG corneal neuron's ERS-related injury. Therefore, ERS-induced TG corneal neuron injury may be an important pathomechanism and provide a promising therapeutic approach to DED.

Measurement of Sequential ϒ Suppression in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV with the STAR Experiment

We report on measurements of sequential ϒ suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) through both the dielectron and dimuon decay channels. In the 0%-60% centrality class, the nuclear modification factors (R_{AA}), which quantify the level of yield suppression in heavy-ion collisions compared to p+p collisions, for ϒ(1S) and ϒ(2S) are 0.40±0.03(stat)±0.03(sys)±0.09(norm) and 0.26±0.08(stat)±0.02(sys)±0.06(norm), respectively, while the upper limit of the ϒ(3S) R_{AA} is 0.17 at a 95% confidence level. This provides experimental evidence that the ϒ(3S) is significantly more suppressed than the ϒ(1S) at RHIC. The level of suppression for ϒ(1S) is comparable to that observed at the much higher collision energy at the Large Hadron Collider. These results point to the creation of a medium at RHIC whose temperature is sufficiently high to strongly suppress excited ϒ states.

Beam Energy Dependence of Fifth- and Sixth-Order Net-Proton Number Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants (C_{5}, C_{6}) and factorial cumulants (κ_{5}, κ_{6}) of net-proton and proton number distributions, from center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) 3 GeV to 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Cumulant ratios of net-proton (taken as proxy for net-baryon) distributions generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at 3 GeV. The measured values of C_{6}/C_{2} for 0%-40% centrality collisions show progressively negative trend with decreasing energy, while it is positive for the lowest energy studied. These observed negative signs are consistent with QCD calculations (for baryon chemical potential, μ_{B}≤110  MeV) which contains the crossover transition range. In addition, for energies above 7.7 GeV, the measured proton κ_{n}, within uncertainties, does not support the two-component (Poisson+binomial) shape of proton number distributions that would be expected from a first-order phase transition. Taken in combination, the hyperorder proton number fluctuations suggest that the structure of QCD matter at high baryon density, μ_{B}∼750  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV is starkly different from those at vanishing μ_{B}∼24  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and higher collision energies.

Development and validation of risk prediction models for stroke and mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes in northern China

BACKGROUND

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Risk models have been developed for predicting stroke and stroke-associated mortality among patients with T2DM. Here, we evaluated risk factors of stroke for individualized prevention measures in patients with T2DM in northern China.

METHODS

In the community-based Tianjin Chronic Disease Cohort study, 58,042 patients were enrolled between January 2014 and December 2019. We used multiple imputation (MI) to impute missing variables and univariate and multivariate Cox's proportional hazard regression to screen risk factors of stroke. Furthermore, we established and validated first-ever prediction models for stroke (Model 1 and Model 2) and death from stroke (Model 3) and evaluated their performance.

RESULTS

In the derivation and validation groups, the area under the curves (AUCs) of Models 1-3 was better at 5 years than at 8 years. The Harrell's C-index for all models was above 0.7. All models had good calibration, discrimination, and clinical net benefit. Sensitivity analysis using the MI dataset indicated that all models had good and stable prediction performance.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we developed and validated first-ever risk prediction models for stroke and death from stroke in patients with T2DM, with good discrimination and calibration observed in all models. Based on lifestyle, demographic characteristics, and laboratory examination, these models could provide multidimensional management and individualized risk assessment. However, the models developed here may only be applicable to Han Chinese.

Band-gap and strain engineering in GeSn alloys using post-growth pulsed laser melting

The pseudomorphic growth of Ge_1-xSn_xon Ge causes in-plane compressive strain, which degrades the superior properties of the Ge_1-xSn_xalloys. Therefore, efficient strain engineering is required. In this article, we present strain and band-gap engineering in Ge_1-xSn_xalloys grown on Ge a virtual substrate using post-growth nanosecond pulsed laser melting (PLM). Micro-Raman and x-ray diffraction (XRD) show that the initial in-plane compressive strain is removed. Moreover, for PLM energy densities higher than 0.5 J cm^-2, the Ge_0.89Sn_0.11layer becomes tensile strained. Simultaneously, as revealed by Rutherford Backscattering spectrometry, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy investigations and XRD the crystalline quality and Sn-distribution in PLM-treated Ge_0.89Sn_0.11layers are only slightly affected. Additionally, the change of the band structure after PLM is confirmed by low-temperature photoreflectance measurements. The presented results prove that post-growth ns-range PLM is an effective way for band-gap and strain engineering in highly-mismatched alloys.